Media Release

Published on 07 October 2014

The grieving widow and daughters of a worker killed on a Ghanaian mine site are taking legal action against his employers claiming the companies failed in their duty of care to provide a safe workplace.

Irish-Australian production superintendent, John Egan, lost his life after being crushed by a dozer while assessing a job applicant’s competency behind the wheel of the massive machinery.

Mary Farrell and her daughters Sorcha and Shona Egan have launched the action against a number of Perth and Ghana-based mining companies for John’s tragic death at an open-pit gold mine in 2011.

Now living in Ireland, Mary said her husband was a wonderful family man who worked hard to provide for her and their daughters.

“We’ve been left devastated by this unexpected and tragic loss,” she said.

“When your husband or father heads off to work, you expect them to come home safe and sound.

“You don’t expect them to be killed while on the job and to never have them in your life again.”

Slater and Gordon lawyer, Karina Hafford, said her clients were financially reliant on Mr Egan and would experience financial difficulties for years to come.

“My clients are mourning the loss of their husband and father in a tragic workplace incident and will also be feeling the strain of losing their financial security,” she said.

“Mr Egan was a well-respected and well-paid employee, and at just 49 years of age he had many more years ahead of him to support his family.

“Employers owe their workers a duty of care and this legal action will allege that the defendants failed to provide a safe system of working.”